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Rich Marnell

As river cruising has picked up in Europe, Viking River Cruises has carved out a larger piece for itself, growing from 20 percent of the market in 2007 to nearly 50 percent now. In March the line christened twelve new river boats in Amsterdam. In May the company launched Viking Ocean Cruises to ply the waters of the Baltic and Mediterranean seas. Marnell says growth comes by focusing on one type of customer. “What we’ve done is tailor the product experience for the 55+ culturally curious in mind,” he said. “We don’t try to be everything to everyone. For us, we see that as an advantage as oppose to a disadvantage.”

Marnell has been with Viking since he joined in February 2007 as head of North American marketing. He began his career in travel in 1990 by selling safari trucks in developing countries.